Chapter 1: Lieutenant Rainbow Dash
Rainbow Dash awoke to a generally normal atmosphere. Her home, decorated with anything ranging from her own trophies to posters of the Equestrian Royal Air Force's elite group of flyers: The Wonderbolts. Was silent, the early morning sun had barely risen, giving her bedroom a cold and dark feeling, so nothing out of the ordinary.
She looked over at her alarm clock.
4:00 AM
"Ugh! oh-six-hundred PT." She thought, "just another wonderful day in the Wonderbolts." She sometimes wondered why these PT sessions were even necessary. As she was already in great shape, her body toned with various muscles that would make any normal stallion jealous. But she knew she not only had her flight crew to look after nevermind the rest of her team.
As she crawled out of bed she waddled towards her bathroom. Quickly freshening up by making her hair into a proper bun, and rinsing off her face.
She then moved towards her closet, looking through her various outfits before moving them aside in favor of her more professional attire. The gazed upon the multiple uniforms that hung in her closet. Placing her eyes on a white athletic shirt.
As she picked up the white shirt, she looked at the lettering on the right side. 2Lt Rainbow Dash, 1st "Wonderbolt" Air Squadron. "Second Lieutenant Dash" she read aloud. To some, those were just another title. Another Second Lieutenant in the ERAF. But to Rainbow Dash, it was earned.
Four years ago she had entered the Wonderbolts Academy. A school for only the best flyers in Equestria and she made it. And even after the long period of schooling, she ended up a reservist! But for her, it was enough. She got to go to the shows, and even fly if needed. Although, unlike other branches of the Equestrian Military, she did not hold rank as a reservist. However, roughly three months ago, she was invited to join as a full-time Wonderbolt!
She gladly accepted (obviously).
As Rainbow reminisced about her past, she put on her PT clothes, grabbed her bag, and flew out the door.
As she flew over Cloudsdale, well...there honestly wasn't much to see. Almost everypony was inside. Most ponies don't even wake up for morning jobs until around 6:00 AM. So most of the flight to the Wonderbolts HQ was uneventful.
Upon arrival, she checked her watch. 0530. Rainbow Dash typically arrived early for morning PT, but never too early. As Spitfire doesn't like it when Wonderbolts arrive at PT before she does. As she arrived at the PT field, she saw Spitfire speaking with a few of the Wonderbolts, notably Captain Soarin and Lieutenant Fleetfoot.
As she approached the group, Spitfire looked up.
"Oh hey, Crash, what's up?" Spitfire asked as she looked away from one of the group. "Nothing much, what's the plan for PT today ma'am?" Rainbow responded.
"We're keeping it simple, just a ten-mile flight and we'll let you go for a while until flight practice tonight."
"Sounds good, are my crew here yet?"
"I don't think so."
"Well I'll keep an eye out for them," Dash said as she stood straight and gave Spitfire a quick salute before walking away. Rainbow smirked to herself as she walked away. Spitfire constantly tells her not to salute her unless it's for formal business. Rainbow just does it to fuck with her at this point.
Over time, Rainbow's crew arrived before the deadline. Her crew mainly consisted of Earth Ponies and Unicorns, as Pegasi would mainly move to join the ERAF if they went for any military style career, as opposed to being glorified servants for a flyer. Her team numbered 10 ponies. Each specializing in a different field. Including Flight Engineers, Medics, and two Janitors.
After most of the Wonderbolts and staff arrived, Spitfire began the PT session and began the promised ten-mile flight.
* * *
After her dismissal from the Squadron PT session, Rainbow Dash began to fly down to Ponyville from the Headquarters.
As she flew through the quaint little town, watching the early morning routine of the townsfolk. Mrs. Cake opened the doors to The Sugarcube Corner. Big Mac hauled various apples into the town market for selling. And the flower girls began setting up their booth.
Rainbow Dash, approaching the crystal Friendship Castle, began grounding herself. Her blue hooves touching the course dirt path, still wet from the early morning dew.
As Rainbow Dash approached the door, the two sentries bowed their heads and opened the double doors to the castle.
When in the ranks of the Wonderbolts, she was a Lieutenant, the new one of the group. But here, in the hall of Friendship, she was Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty and one of the members of the Friendship Council. The council acted as a governing body in itself, responsible for keeping civil order and stability, whether en-mass or individually. And their word was second only to the Princesses.
As Rainbow Dash sat down in her chair, she looked at her other friends, who were all staring at her. She looked over to Twilight.
"Um...why is everypony staring at me like that?" She asked.
"Hm...I don't know. Maybe because you are late," Twilight replied.
"Wait, how is that my fault? I had PT with the Wonderbolts this morning," Rainbow Dash said in response. In relation, Applejack snapped her head towards her.
"Yer were suppos'd to inform Spitfire we had a meeting today. You said you'd handle it," Applejack said, very clearly irritated.
"How long have you guys been waiting for me here?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"TWO HOURS!" The whole group responded.
"Alright girls, I admit it. I fucked up. I'm sorry, now can we please move on with the meeting?"
Twilight rolled her eyes, giving out a sigh. "Alright...well there is a bit of an issue with the Changelings and the Griffons, definitely, a friendship problem. From what I heard, things are heating to a boil, so map decided yo call us there. And the map requested me and Rainbow Dash deal with it!"
"You've got to be kidding me..."
Author's Note
Yay, a thousand words. Sorry if the pacing was a bit off. I wrote it on multiple different days without a solid plan. I sorta just, make it up as I go, hope you enjoyed! If things go well expect a new chapter.
